Wilhelm Keitel- Nuremberg Trials
I am here with Wilhelm Keitel. Moments ago, he was sentenced to death for his role in planning the war, helping Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, and being a part of those who took down American and British airplanes.
Bethany: Mr. Keitel, I just want to know what is going through your mind at this very moment?
Keitel: One word can’t describe how I’m feeling. I believe that what they have concluded is not fair to myself, and many others. I was just doing what Hitler ordered me to do. I didn’t contribute to any of Hitler’s plans, I just followed them. Therefore, I should not have been charged for some of the charges. I was simply a man who took honor in serving his own country. I was only doing my job.
Bethany: Why do you think that the courts conclusion is false? Considering how much evidence of your misdoing.
Keitel: I believe that what I did was the right thing to do. “ I will suffer more agony of conscience and self-reproach in this cell than anybody will ever know."
Bethany: Exactly what did you do as the Chief of Staff in Hitler’s military?
Keitel: I helped plan the war, in many ways. I was also a major part of the “terror fliers” policy. That’s part of my job.
Bethany: Describe your work in the “terror fliers.”
Keitel: Well, I ordered my men to shoot down many British and American planes in Wanton. Within that order, I also told my men to kill those who were piloting the British and American planes. But, I was only doing my job.
Bethany: You were accused of being a part of “Night and Fog,” exactly what does that mean? And how what was your involvement in this?
Keitel: The “ Night and Fog” began in 1941, and in the following three years, all of the prisoners-of-war could be killed without trials or any court involvement. Also, some families of “Allied volunteers” were arrested and killed. I was the author of the “Night and Fog” decree, but I was only doing my job.
Bethany: You did all this, and yet you believe that you did not do any harm during the war?
Keitel: It was a time of war! Every country does something against humanity! Germany wasn’t the only country that killed people, or that planned war, or had leaders who people say were bad! Your country did the exact same thing, if Germany were to win, my life would be safe, and your country’s leaders lives wouldn’t be safe! How can I be charged for planning war, when everybody had a plan for war! This is completely unfair because I was just doing my job! For forty-four years of service, I have honorably served my country. In World War 1, people planned war, and they were never sentenced to death! They didn’t even have a ridiculous trial, like the one that was just finished!
Bethany: We all have our opinions on this war, and unfortunately for you, your opinion didn’t win this time. Now, on to my next question. Did you plan attacks on other countries?
Keitel: I helped plan attacks on countries such as Czechoslovakia, Poland, Holland, and some other countries. What is war without planning attacks? How is this a felony considering every army in this war had to at one time plan attacks on other countries? And of all these people, I am the one who is blamed! My job required me to do that!
Bethany: Did you commit any crimes against the Jews?
Keitel: I most certainly did not commit any crimes against Jewish people. That was not my department.
Bethany: Is there anything else that you would like to say?
Keitel: My fellow Germans, everything that I have been convicted of is false. It was not my idea, it was our fearful leader Hitler. Even though he is no longer with us, his legacy will stand forever. For it is Hitler, who made the country of Germany such a wonderful and civilized country.
In my forty-four years service, I have been loyal to my country, and I have been a good citizen of Germany. I have rightfully done as my leaders have said. And in the time of war, I have taken my orders seriously and sought them out to the best of my ability. Never will I regret my decisions, I did what was best for Germany and the Nazi Party! Some people just believe that all of the good I did for Germany was bad. I want everybody to know that I will not die in vain, I will die with honor for my country and the Nazi Party.
That is all I have to say.
Bethany: Thank you for your time. I wish the best for you, in your last days here.
I am here with Wilhelm Keitel. Moments ago, he was sentenced to death for his role in planning the war, helping Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, and being a part of those who took down American and British airplanes.
Bethany: Mr. Keitel, I just want to know what is going through your mind at this very moment?
Keitel: One word can’t describe how I’m feeling. I believe that what they have concluded is not fair to myself, and many others. I was just doing what Hitler ordered me to do. I didn’t contribute to any of Hitler’s plans, I just followed them. Therefore, I should not have been charged for some of the charges. I was simply a man who took honor in serving his own country. I was only doing my job.
Bethany: Why do you think that the courts conclusion is false? Considering how much evidence of your misdoing.
Keitel: I believe that what I did was the right thing to do. “ I will suffer more agony of conscience and self-reproach in this cell than anybody will ever know."
Bethany: Exactly what did you do as the Chief of Staff in Hitler’s military?
Keitel: I helped plan the war, in many ways. I was also a major part of the “terror fliers” policy. That’s part of my job.
Bethany: Describe your work in the “terror fliers.”
Keitel: Well, I ordered my men to shoot down many British and American planes in Wanton. Within that order, I also told my men to kill those who were piloting the British and American planes. But, I was only doing my job.
Bethany: You were accused of being a part of “Night and Fog,” exactly what does that mean? And how what was your involvement in this?
Keitel: The “ Night and Fog” began in 1941, and in the following three years, all of the prisoners-of-war could be killed without trials or any court involvement. Also, some families of “Allied volunteers” were arrested and killed. I was the author of the “Night and Fog” decree, but I was only doing my job.
Bethany: You did all this, and yet you believe that you did not do any harm during the war?
Keitel: It was a time of war! Every country does something against humanity! Germany wasn’t the only country that killed people, or that planned war, or had leaders who people say were bad! Your country did the exact same thing, if Germany were to win, my life would be safe, and your country’s leaders lives wouldn’t be safe! How can I be charged for planning war, when everybody had a plan for war! This is completely unfair because I was just doing my job! For forty-four years of service, I have honorably served my country. In World War 1, people planned war, and they were never sentenced to death! They didn’t even have a ridiculous trial, like the one that was just finished!
Bethany: We all have our opinions on this war, and unfortunately for you, your opinion didn’t win this time. Now, on to my next question. Did you plan attacks on other countries?
Keitel: I helped plan attacks on countries such as Czechoslovakia, Poland, Holland, and some other countries. What is war without planning attacks? How is this a felony considering every army in this war had to at one time plan attacks on other countries? And of all these people, I am the one who is blamed! My job required me to do that!
Bethany: Did you commit any crimes against the Jews?
Keitel: I most certainly did not commit any crimes against Jewish people. That was not my department.
Bethany: Is there anything else that you would like to say?
Keitel: My fellow Germans, everything that I have been convicted of is false. It was not my idea, it was our fearful leader Hitler. Even though he is no longer with us, his legacy will stand forever. For it is Hitler, who made the country of Germany such a wonderful and civilized country.
In my forty-four years service, I have been loyal to my country, and I have been a good citizen of Germany. I have rightfully done as my leaders have said. And in the time of war, I have taken my orders seriously and sought them out to the best of my ability. Never will I regret my decisions, I did what was best for Germany and the Nazi Party! Some people just believe that all of the good I did for Germany was bad. I want everybody to know that I will not die in vain, I will die with honor for my country and the Nazi Party.
That is all I have to say.
Bethany: Thank you for your time. I wish the best for you, in your last days here.